Pastor John,
Hi Pastor John. I hope everyone is well. I enjoyed the videos on livestream very much. I have another question for you. I am recently went back to work at an automotive factory. I work 7 days a wk, 12 hr shifts. There is so many filthy spirits here Pastor John. I am having a very hard time feeling Jesus. I spent a year and a half not working and, everyday was filled with Jesus. I dont know how to stay close to Him right now. I have thought about leaving this enviroment but I honestly feel Jesus wants me to learn to walk with Him through any condition. How do I do this? How do I surround myself in filth everyday and stay close to Jesus? How do I know if Jesus wants me to stay or to leave this job? My spirit feels awful around all of this. I have to work closely with these spirits everyday. If you have any advice on how to do this, I could sure use it. I hope it doesnt bother you, that I write and ask questions. I just trust that you definitely know Jesus, and I am still getting to know Him. I f by chance you would rather me find someone else to seek advice, I completely understand and will do so.
Sincerely
Beth D
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Hi Beth.
Thanks for writing.
Isaiah said, “He will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him.” That’s a promise. Go to work with your mind on God, and talk of His praise and wonderful works all day.
That’s the answer the Lord gave me when I was a young construction worker. My soul was vexed, like Lot’s (2Pet. 2:7-9), “by the filthy conversation of the wicked”, all day long. One particularly bad day, I went home heavy-hearted, sick to death of my co-workwers’ nasty minds and mouths. I prayed about it that evening and spent some time reading my Bible. Then, in Psalm 71, God gave me His answer (especially the bold verses, below):
[1] In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
[2] Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
[3] Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
[4] Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
[5] For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.
[6] By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.
[7] I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
[8] Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
[9] Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
[10] For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
[11] Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.
[12] O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
[13] Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
[14] But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
[15] My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
[16] I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
[17] O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
[18] Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
[19] Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
[20] Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
[21] Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
[22] I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
[23] My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
[24] My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.”
I went to work the next day on the offensive, with the weapons of praise and singing! I was amazed at the change it wrought on that construction site. It wasn’t long before some of the guys started approaching me when I was alone, confessing shameful sins and wanting me to talk about the Lord.
jdc